Life’s Silver Linings, Inc.

Chapter 6, Part VII: Miracles Aren’t Out of Style (true story)

ears of study and research of Missouri’s student identification and referral system, as well as the state’s universal health care and education reform which allows schools to become Medicaid providers, preceded one citizen’s decision to run for school board. Documentation showed that “family planning” (population control) was one component of government health goals which included Medicaid-funded school-based clinics, and school/community-linked services.

Concerned about what the Missouri legislature had done in May of 1993 regarding health and education reform, this citizen pondered the need to provide this information to the people.

The voice of a man who had been met at a meeting the week before, who encouraged and reiterated the importance of running for school board, could be “heard” replaying in the echo of a memory. A sudden and unexplained feeling of absolute certainty about what needed to be done swept over this individual. Immediately, a visit was made to the school district’s office to add one more name to the list of candidates for the school board election.

It was felt that whether or not the election was successful, running would provide an opportunity to inform the community about the health-related education reforms, and how it would effect families.     The community would have an opportunity to express its concerns and wishes on the issue.

The citizen didn’t realize that to file as a candidate it was necessary to obtain 50 signatures on a petition before the deadline of 5:00 p.m. the next day! Was it possible to do? There was less than a day to obtain the signatures, and that evening and the next day had already been committed to prior obligations! The situation was explained to a couple of friends who offered to do what they could. The situation was put in God’s hands. It was decided that if it was meant to be it would work out, and if not so be it. Friends went door to door obtaining signatures. By 4:30 p.m. the next afternoon 132 signatures had been collected–much more than the 50 needed! Even though signing up late was an accident, those “in the know” say that doing so is good political strategy. The entire affair seemed providential.

A small committee was formed. The idea of winning the election seemed so remote, that one wondered if it was worth getting excited about, even though everyone knew that anything could happen.

There was very little money, but local people came out of the “woodwork” to help. One great man OFFERED to be the campaign manager (the candidate didn’t think the chances of winning were good enough to even consider having a campaign manager), and his wife organized poll workers who miraculously materialized 24 hours before the election. Someone else knew a state representative who wasn’t running for re-election who donated used signs. The signs were turned inside out, stenciled, restapled and distributed.

Another great man donated many fliers. Someone else organized people to distribute them. The candidate continued to speak wherever invited.

Some people in the community were already familiar with the candidate’s values based on past programs the candidate had provided in the community supporting the positive value of life from womb to tomb. What this candidate stood for was no secret. The flier stated that the candidate’s vocation of wife and mother, past work experience, support of pro-life principles, and a list of accomplishments and awards received. The flier also stated that the candidate felt that the best way taxpayers can retain their freedom is not to depend on the government, and that schools should be centers for academics rather than government clinics.

During personal appearances documentation was provided and explained to parents that the county health department with whom schools may collaborate and refer, has a Teen Clinic which provides contraceptives to minors without parental consent. Parents listened. Everywhere the candidate went a packet of documentation was left with the PTG president and anyone else who wanted it.

The candidate was a “dark horse” or “underdog.” When people would ask how “it” was going, the response was “well, we’re about to find out if miracles are out of style!”

This was the first time this pro-life mom had run for any publicly elected office. To everyone’s surprise, including hers, she was elected to a three year term as a school board member! The campaign was NOT run AGAINST anyone, but rather FOR what was believed in. Unseated was a popular, six-year female incumbent. Four candidates ran for two seats. Two of the candidates were incumbents, of which one was re-elected. A total of 27,836 votes were cast. Of that total, the re-elected incumbent received 7,590 votes. The candidate spoken of here received 7,413 votes (a difference of only 177 votes). The second incumbent who was unseated received 5,916 votes.

This election reflected a community which supports basic Judeo-Christian values and the desire to retain schools as academic institutions rather than centers of one-stop shopping for government health and social services.

When people asked, “how’d you do it?,” it was explained that the community has many good people with solid family values who vote, and are willing to work for a candidate they believe in, and–miracles aren’t out of style (smile!)